Another guild weighs in with letter to WGA head
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A letter to Patric Verrone, president of Writers Guild of America, West:
Patric Verrone’s response:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2007
WRITERS GUILD WEST PRESIDENT PATRIC M. VERRONE RESPONDS
TO IATSE PRESIDENT THOMAS SHORT
Los Angeles - Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) President Patric M. Verrone today issued the following statement in response to a letter received from International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) President Thomas Short:
Dear Tom,
I am in receipt of your letter of November 13th.
As I’m sure you know, for every four cents writers receive in theatrical residuals, directors receive four cents, actors receive 12 cents, and the members of your union receive 20 cents in contributions to their health fund.
To put it simply, our fight should be your fight. We’ve received support from the Teamsters, the actors, many IATSE members, and unions throughout the world.
As we’ve stated clearly, we are willing to negotiate; we have wanted to negotiate; we are here to negotiate. Despite the fact that the AMPTP conceded progress was being made on November 4th, the last day of negotiations, they walked out and have not returned.
So please help us by doing everything you can to get the AMPTP to come back to the table and settle this strike, which, as you say, is devastating to your members, to our members, and to the entire town.
In solidarity,
Patric M. Verrone
The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) represents writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. For more information, please visit: www.wga.org.